Ksamil — North Channel Anchorage Guide

Anchoring Zones

Ksamil — North Channel has 2 distinct anchoring zones, each with different depth, holding, and exposure characteristics.

Setting Your Anchor

The bottom at Ksamil — North Channel is primarily sand with reliable holding when properly set.

1. Check for posidonia before dropping — Ksamil waters have protected posidonia meadows. Confirm sand bottom on the depth sounder before anchoring. Use mooring buoys at Ksamil when available.
2. Approach slowly and check your depth sounder. At 5–8m, deploy minimum 7:1 scope (56m chain at 8m depth).
3. Drop into the wind and pay out chain steadily as the boat drifts back.
4. Set firmly in reverse — 30–60 seconds at moderate throttle. Use the scope calculator to confirm adequate chain.

Recommended anchor types: Rocna, Mantus, Spade.

Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm

Overnight stays at Ksamil — North Channel are feasible in settled conditions but require vigilance — the anchorage is exposed to S and SW and SE and W winds.

Set your GPS anchor alarm to 70m radius before going below. 70m alarm radius for the N channel in 5–7m. The channel width constrains swing to some extent — reduce to 55m if other boats are anchored in the channel. The primary hazard here compared to the S buoy field is the S and SW exposure — in settled northerly conditions the N channel is calmer than the S field as the NW Maestral blows over the anchorage rather than directly into it, but any southerly component exposes the channel to fetch across the Ionian. Confirm anchor on sand before settling.

Good May–October. The N channel is at its quietest in May and June before the charter season peaks — excellent swimming, uncrowded, and the sandbanks at their most clearly visible in calm water. July–August: moderately busy as overflow from the S buoys; still manageable. September is very good — warm water, thinning crowds, and the best light for photography of the island group. Not recommended for overnight in October–April.

Navigation Hazards

• Sandbanks in approach channel: the channel entrance has shifting sandbanks — approach at reduced speed on echosounder; depths of 2–3m exist at the channel mouth in places; do not enter at speed
• Posidonia throughout: the bottom is a mix of sand and posidonia; anchor ONLY on confirmed sand patches; snorkel to verify if in doubt
• S and SW exposure: the channel is open to S and SW — southerly conditions bring swell directly into the channel; overnight use limited to settled northerly or calm conditions
• Water taxi and excursion boat traffic: Sarandë-based excursion boats use the outer channel past the islands; watch for traffic and maintain adequate swing room clear of transit routes
• Shallow channel entrance: the 50–80m wide channel between spit and first island has limited depth in places — not suitable for boats drawing more than 2m without careful sounding on approach

Rules & Regulations

• Albania entry — clearance agent mandatory: All foreign yachts must use a local clearance agent (~€100–150). Fly yellow Q flag. Present passports, registration, insurance, and crew list at the first port of entry.
• Anchoring fee: Free. Anchor on sand patches only — do NOT anchor on posidonia.
• Maximum stay: 2 days
• Restrictions: Anchor on confirmed sand patches only — posidonia is protected and anchoring on it is illegal. Approach the channel from the W at reduced speed with echosounder — sandbanks exist at the channel entrance and can shift seasonally. Keep clear of water taxi and ferry traffic from Sarandë–Corfu route passing offshore.

For a full overview, see our overnight anchoring rules by region guide.

Facilities

• Fresh water: Not available on site
• Fuel: Not available — nearest: Sarandë city centre (8km N) (4nm)
• Restaurant: None — nearest at Sarandë city centre (8km N) (4nm)
• Provisions: None on site — Sarandë city centre (8km N) (4nm)

Skipper's Tips

1. The N channel is the quieter Ksamil option when the S buoys are occupied — a useful overflow position that shares the extraordinary water quality of the main anchorage
2. Snorkel the anchor after setting to confirm it is in sand — the visibility is good enough to make this straightforward and it gives peace of mind in the mixed sand/posidonia bottom
3. The first Ksamil island has a white sand beach on its S side accessible by dinghy from the N channel — a 5-minute row and completely unspoiled; arrive before the water taxis from Ksamil village bring day visitors
4. In northerly conditions (Maestral), the N channel is calmer than the S buoy field as the wind direction passes over the peninsula; in SW afternoon sea breeze the relationship reverses
5. Approach the channel from the W at reduced speed — the sandbank at the entrance can catch boats that approach at full speed; 5 knots maximum on approach is prudent